HONG KONG, Oct 9, 2007 (AFP) - A rare, flawless blue diamond has been snapped up at a Sotheby's sale here for 7.98 million US dollars (S$11.7 million), making it the most expensive gemstone in the world per carat ever bought at auction.

The Fancy Vivid Blue Diamond Ring broke the auction record which had stood for 20 years, according to a Sotheby's spokeswoman, fetching 1.32 million dollars for each of it 6.04 carats.

The price for the emerald-cut piece smashed the record held by the Hancock Red, a red diamond which was sold for 926,000 dollars per carat, Sotheby's said.

Monday's purchase - which was clinched by Moussaieff Jewellers in London, a specialist in rare stones - was part of the auction house's autumn Hong Kong sale, which includes Chinese ceramics and contemporary art.

The entire jewel sale fetched 40.84 million dollars, including 2.64 million dollars for the "Irving Berlin" emerald, a long 47.60 carat necklace previously owned by the celebrated US composer and lyricist.

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